Dzongkha Keyboard

The Dzongkha keyboard layout is a simple way of inputting Dzongkha or Tibetan script Unicode text. I designed and first implemented this keyboard layout in 2000, and it was then jointly specified by the Dzongkha Development Commission (DDC) and the Department of Information Technology (DIT) in Bhutan as the official keyboard layout for Dzongkha.

It is very easy for anyone familiar with Dzongkha or Tibetan to learn this layout since it basically follows the order of the alphabet used for these languages, and characters are typed in the order which they are normally written. Top letters in a stack are entered first; then any subjoined letters are entered by using the SHIFT key in combination with the desired character key; combining vowel marks are located, in order, on the four center keys of the top alpha row.

Keyboard definitions supporting this layout are available for Windows, Linux and Macintosh computers and for most smart phone operating systems.

PDF file with diagram of Dzongkha Keyboard Layout

Dzongkha Keyboard for Windows

Windows 10

A version of the Dzongkha keyboard is incorporated into Microsoft's Windows 10 for both PC's and mobile phones.

To activate, go to: Settings > Time & Language > Languages > + Add a Language > and choose རྫོང་ཁ Dzongkha

Windows XP, 7 & Vista:

To install the Dzongkha keyboard layout on earlier versions of Windows, please see the instructions on the DDC Website

PDF file of these instructions: A guide to installation and configuration of Unicode Tools for Dzongkha (2011)

Dzongkha Keyboard layout for Mac OSX


Dzongkha Keyboard on iPhone

Dzongkha keyboard on Android phones

For older versions of Android see the instructions on the DDC website:

Related